Key case



pril 7, 1953 E. N. GENOVESE KEY CASE Filed Aug. 29, 1950 /2 INVENTORf EDAR N. @ENO VESE Patented Apr. 7,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l f Y 2,633,734 p.,

-KEY cAs'- Edgar N. Genovese, Baltimore, Application Augustzs, 1950, serial No. 182.120 I z claims.y (ci. 7a4-fissi This invention relates to key holders and more particularly to the type that offers protection or covering to the keys held thereby.

Included in the projects of this invention is the provision of a new land improved key holder that will avoid some of the disadvantages and limitations of the previous articles in this art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved key holder that will have means for holding keys in a casing that is readily opened .for their projection therefrom without loosening them therefrom so they can become lost. or removed without the intention of the user.

=A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved key holder in box form that can carry keys within it in such a manner as to prevent them from cutting holes in the pockets in which they are carried.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved key holder that will be attractive in appearance, eiective in operation, convenient to use, and simple in construction.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, and its objects, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which in conjunction with the following description, illustrate a particular or preferred form of the invention, while the claims indicate the scope thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a closed key holder embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken transversely through the holder, on line 2-2 of Figure l, and

Figure 3 is a key holder open with key ring and keys available for use.

Similar reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the drawings.

The drawings illustrate a particular form of key holder comprising a casing made in two cuplike parts I and I I termed arbitrarily the upper and lower parts and referred to as the Covers adapted to dit and align close up against each other. This is facilitated by a projection I2 along the front edge of the part II, being offset as indicated in Figure 3, and arranged to lodge in the indentation I3 of front edge of the other part I0 as indicated, in Figures 2 and 3. A hole I4 somewhat elongated is provided in the main wall of the upper part or cover I0 for the placement of a rectangularly contoured wire key-ring I5 which is open where the legs I6 come together. This arrangement gives the ring a resilient clamp- `A'ing or closing tension permitting it to be opened up under pressure, and closing when the pressure is released. The lower part or cover II is likewise provided with an elongated hole I1 which aligns with the hole I4 when the parts or covers I0 and II are closed against each other. The legs I6 of the ring I5 pass through both holes I4 and Il in the covers, and with the ring I5 in place and the projection I2 and indentation I3 align, hold the parts I0 and II resiliently together. The bars I8 of the ring are brought around the closed parts or covers II) and II until the ring clamps them together as shown in Figures 1 and 2. When so positioned knobs 20 on the covers serve as locks to hold the ring I5 in that position, yet do not prevent the ring from swinging around as shown in Figure 3 and to be detached when desired. This is done by exerting a little pressure on the ring and springing it open enough to ride over the knobs 20.

Keys I9 are placed on the ring by opening it where the legs I6 abut and normally are closed in the casing. However by opening the casing and moving the parts or covers I0 and I I so they will spread apart and slide along the ring I5 as shown in Figure 3, the keys I9 are exposed and projected so they can be used in the normal manner to open a lock. When not in use the keys I9 are returned to the casing and the covers I0 and II are closed back on them, followed by the rotation of the ring to lock them rmly together. The holes I4 and I1 are elongated in form to enable the ring to be slid along in it and permit the adjustment of the covers when they are moved to their open position, aswell as enable the ring to be rotated laterally around the casing before the covers are opened up.

The device is simple, but designed for practical use. It is preferably made of light materials. The keys can be used for locking or unlocking the ignition for automobiles and other types of locks. When closed up the keys are retained out of the way and will not wear out the owners pockets unnecessarily. The casing enables the keys to be easily used, and enables them to be found easily. The resilient ring has a double use. It not only holds the keys but serves as a lock to hold the covers together.

While but one general form of Ithe invention is shown in the drawing-s and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within `the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A key holder comprising -two separate casing parts normally forming an enclosure for a key, each of the parts having an opening therein and the openings being in alignment with each other, a flexible, one-piece, rectangular key ring having its free ends in juxtaposition and extending through the aforesaid openings within the holder, said ring adapted to support a key at the junction of its free ends and said ring extending outwardly of and close .to the walls of the two casing parts and normally maintaining said parts in closed position with the key between the parts, the parts being separable by sliding along two opposite `sides of the ring engaging through the REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,198,109 Fischer Apr. 23, 1940 2,198,110 Fischer Apr. 23, 1940 2,279,449 Dieckmann Apr. 14, 1942 2.493.330 Zimmerman Jan. 3. 1950 the holder. 

